On 29.3.02 operation ‘Defense Wall’ was initiated by
Israel, in the course of which the Israeli security forces re-occupied Ramallah
and gradually entered other Palestinian towns, causing grave damage and numerous
injuries and casualties.

In each town, as it was occupied, movement of ambulances
and medical supply vehicles was completely prohibited by

Israeli army. Vehicles attempting to move were often
attacked by Israeli forces. This led to a total collapse of the

Palestinian health system. On the violations of human
rights during the still-continuing military operation, see the second attached
document, ‘Medicine Under Attack’, published by PHR-Israel on 4.4.02.

Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has received, and
is still receiving, hundreds of requests from hospitals, medical centers, the
Palestinian Health Ministry and the Palestine Red Crescent society, to help
coordinate passage of ambulances and supplies to and from medical centers.

personnel to and from medical centers, by contacting
Israeli members of Knesset, the Israeli Civil Administration, the IDF Coordinator
of Operations in the Occupied Territories, and the Military Secretary of the
Prime Minister – and procuring permission for passage of these vehicles. Close
coordination with ICRC (Red Cross), PRCS (Red Crescent) and UPMRC (‘Medical
Relief’) was conducted throughout. In some cases PHR-Israel workers have personally
transported the goods.

Despite coordination, many cases resulted in refusal
or in protracted delays (up to 24 hours). In some cases despite

express permission given by the IDF, vehicles were shot
at while moving.

In parallel, PHR-Israel received hundreds of appeals
to trace prisoners and detainees who had disappeared since the

start of the military operation. Despite repeated requests
for medical details on detainees, the Israeli military refused to

provide details. PHR-Israel is continuing its attempts
to collect evidence from those detained and from their families, after their
release. For details on a joint High Court petition submitted on this issue
by PHR-Israel and three other Israeli

organizations, see below, 5.4.02.

As events moved rapidly, many of the coordinations and
activities were not documented. Below is a partial list of

outstanding activities initiated by PHR-Israel in the
wake of the events.

1.4.02 – PHR-Israel received an appeal regarding dialysis
patients from the center for medical aid in Bethlehem and

Al-Hussein hospital, Beit Jalla. According to the appeal
supplies for the dialysis machine at the hospital had run out and

several patients had not received dialysis care for
3 days. They asked to help supply equipment and coordinate passage

of patients. PHR-Israel purchased the supplies from
a company in Beit Sahour and transported them to the hopistal. With the aid
of ICRC, PHR-Israel coordinated passage of dialysis patients to the hospital,
albeit with great delays.

2.4.02 – PHR-Israel staff members met with the Israel
Medical Association, with a special committee set up to

examine the medical aspects of the confrontations. PHR-Israel
gave evidence on medical violations, demanded that IMA issue a protest against
Israeli policies, and condemned their silence on these issues so far. Thus far,
no actual response has been received from the IMA.

Salah Haj-Yehya. The contents of the Press Conference
were widely covered on Israeli TV, radio and newspapers.

7.4.02 – PHR-Israel issued a letter of appeal to the
Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) requesting

that the situation in the region be officially declared
to be a ‘human disaster - complex humanitarian emergency’.

7.4.02 – PHR-Israel submitted a High Court petition
against the paralysis of medical services in Palestinian towns as a

result of the Israeli operation. Emphasis was placed
on prevention of evacuation of patients and injured, and lack of

supplies at medical centers. The High Court rejected
the petition the next day, on the grounds that ‘the State had

explained that soldiers were instructed to respect humanitarian
principles at all times’. The court found this explanation

sufficient.

8.4.02 – PHR-Israel received requests from three different
organizations to purchase and coordinate transport of

material medical aid to Palestinian medical centers.
The first convoy will be donated by Diakonia Foundation, and

distributed by PHR-Israel and UPMRC throughout the West
Bank; the second will be donated by Medecins du Monde and

distributed by PHR-Israel to the Patients Friends Society
in Jenin; the third will be donated by NOVIB for distribution by

PHR-Israel, Sikkui and B’tselem in the West Bank.

9.4.02 – PHR-Israel was approached by Israeli press
representatives in order to ascertain Israeli allegations according to

which Palestinians in Jenin had refused to accept a
cessation of fire to enable evacuation of bodies. After ascertaining

details with UPMRC, the Palestine Red Crescent Society
(PRCS), and the International Committee of the Red Cross

(ICRC), PHR-Israel came to the conclusion that the army
had approached PRCS and ICRC to offer coordination of

evacuation on the night between the 7th and the 8th
of April. They had agreed, and coordination negotiations had

proceeded throughout the 8th of April. That evening
they had agreed upon evacuation scheduled for the morning of April

9th. On the morning of April 9th the coordinations were
stopped by the IDF due to escalation of fighting in Jenin. At no

stage had Palestinians refused cessation of fire for
evacuation.

11.4.02 - PHR-Israel submitted a pre-petition letter
in preparation for a High Court petition on the issue of the dialysis

patients still in need of treatment at Jenin hospital.
Since 10.4.02 there has been no electricity supply at the hospital, as a

result of which the dialysis machine cannot function.
The hospital generation is out of order. The ICRC has supplied the

hospital with a small generator, but it is not sufficient.
To the best of PHR-Israel's knowledge, 13 patients have not yet

received lifesaving care in the form of dialysis. PHR-Israel
will continue with legal action if the army does not facilitate this treatment
immediately.

Plans for the weekend: Doctors of PHR-Israel will accompany
the Belgian Public Health Minister, Mrs. Magda Aelvoet, to the Governmental
Hospital in Ramallah, this Saturday, 13.4.02, in order to ascertain damage done
to the medical system in Ramallah.

PHR-Israel will continue to combat Israeli violations
of the right to health, human integrity, and humanitarian

law, so long as these violations continue.

Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is a non-partisan,
non-profit organization founded in 1988, comprising some 650 members who combat
Israeli health and human rights violations, and strive to ensure equal and adequate
health services for all.